Former secretary lists her grievances for town officials

Tuesday

I am writing to notify you of my intention to retire from employment with the Town of Kittery, effective immediately.

This decision is not one that was arrived at without great thought, but it is the only decision that will protect my health and my well-being.

Specifically, I have been subjected to persistent abusive and harassing behavior from Police Chief Ed Strong, for whom I served as secretary for 11 years. Because my health is the most important thing to me, I feel that I have no choice but to retire from employment with the Town of Kittery, a regrettable yet necessary decision.

As you are aware, I have been Chief Strong's assistant for 11 years. During that time, I have seen his domineering, intimidating, and hateful character manifest itself on numerous occasions. I have been subjected to comments from him, such as "What the f*** is wrong with you, f****** b****."

Chief Strong's conduct toward his police officers is similarly disrespectful. In fact, many of those officers have tried to protect me from the Chief's tirades, giving me warning when he is in "one of his moods" and imploring me to go run an errand or otherwise make myself scarce.

While Chief Strong's conduct is reprehensible toward most employees and he treats most everyone with disdain, I do believe that he has singled me out as a female from particularly harsh conduct, particularly because of his use of terms such as "b****." I am not sure if he has particular venom for me because of my sex, age, or because I have availed myself of the counsel of medical personnel when his conduct has reached his apex. Regardless, I cannot take it anymore, as no human being should have to endure this behavior.

Chief Strong's conduct is inexcusable. While I don't believe any person should endure the behavior I endured, perhaps if my work performance had been subpar, there might be some reason for Chief Strong to raise his voice or even swear at me. However, in my 11 years, I have an exemplary performance record and have nothing in my file to indicate that I have been anything but a model employee. That also makes your recent letter of April 24 very frustrating to me.

In it, you question my absence and the sincerity of my medical information. You also make a gratuitous comment regarding the sensitive nature of my position as secretary to the police, intimating that perhaps I am unaware of my responsibilities.

You can rest assured that, while I have been privy to a number of things that I am sure the Chief would not be proud of, I understand the sensitive nature of my former position.

If I thought the town would take steps to deal with Chief Strong, I would ask for a return to my position after an investigation into the Chief's behavior, as I am sure that a quick discussion with others would yield similar experiences. However, the Town's reluctance to address Chief Strong's many issues has been evident for many years, and my prior complaints have gone unheeded. I complained about Chief Strong to former town manager Philip McCarthy in 2000, and nothing was done. I complained about Chief Strong to you since you have been town manager, and nothing has been done.

I am, to be frank, shocked that Chief Strong has maintained his job given these events and his other issues. Part of me wants to pursue changing his conduct, rather than being forced to retire.

However, I just can't bear the thought of being in another meeting with the Chief where another town manager looks at the Chief with a hangdog expression and states, condescendingly, "You know, Ed, you just can't act this way."

I refuse to be stuck in my own version of "Groundhog Day," where the same scenario is repeated again and again.

I have no illusions that the town will address this matter, but I felt compelled to write this letter so that when (not if) this situation happens again, the town will not be able to deny that it has been put on notice about Ed Strong's conduct. I write to you with the barest of hopes that you will not let another woman endure the conduct I have endured as secretary to Police Chief Ed Strong.

Jon, can you please let me know when I will receive my earned but unused time. Also, can you please arrange a time when I can gather my personal effects from my office without the Chief present. I cannot bear the thought of being confronted by him one more time. I look forward to hearing from you.

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